Nine months after images of a clay styling model were shown to the public, a production-ready Aston Martin Cygnet was revealed to a largely appreciative audience at Geneva. ‘Production-ready’ to our eyes - but still in ‘we’ll gauge the reaction from the market before offering it through our dealers’ territory. Make that a ‘probably’, then.

As the Classic Driver office had expected all along, the little city car based on a Toyota iQ was beautifully finished and exhibited much ‘Aston DNA’. The backwoodsmen may complain, but there’s no denying that it addresses an important, growing market for deluxe small cars and provides the Gaydon-based manufacturer with an additional, low-carbon model in its range.

In a press release timed to coincide with the show, Toyota was not mentioned by name. Dr Ulrich Bez, the company’s Chief Executive, stated: “Many of our customers have a need for a small car for urban and city use. The Cygnet Concept brings intelligence, innovation and artistry to the small car market... [It] represents the natural choice for those customers looking for a premium commuter car.

“Our past, our future and our backbone will always remain sports cars, but the Cygnet Concept will support this by offering our customers a greater degree of freedom in the urban context.”

Alongside the Cygnet at Geneva was a limited-edition, ‘UB2010' DBS, one of a run of just 40 cars celebrating Dr Bez’s 10th year as Chief Executive of the company. I think – as did many others – that the two cars sat well together, as they would in many garages worldwide.

No prices have been released, and nor has the company officially confirmed that the Cygnet will be for existing customers only. If the decision is taken to market it, deliveries will commence in 2011.

Text: Steve Wakefield
Photos: Newspress